CHAPTER 369: CHAPTER 187: ENTRUSTING MY COUSIN (PART 2)

"You!" the new stepmother exclaimed angrily, "You’re just a slave, even lower than me, what are you so arrogant about! How dare you lecture me! This is my house!"

Sang Wan slightly furrowed her brows, then said to Sang Pingliang, "Uncle, please send my regards to my new aunt, we will not disturb you further, farewell!" With that, she also called out to Liu Ya, "Say a bit less."

Liu Ya, fuming, glared at the new stepmother and puckered her lips, silent.

Upon hearing she was leaving, Sang Pingliang also became anxious, busily asking Sang Wan to sit down and talk, hypocritically reprimanding the new stepmother a few times. The new stepmother, unaccustomed to such grievances, talked back to him without yielding an inch. Seeing that the squabble had turned into a mess, Sang Wan simply chose not to say anything anymore and, taking Liu Ya with her, walked out directly.

Who knew that just after taking a few steps, they heard Sang Yan rushing down from upstairs, whispering, "Cousin, my mother, my mother wants to talk to you..."

Seeing Sang Yan’s timid, pleading look, Sang Wan couldn’t just leave, so she nodded and followed Sang Yan upstairs with Liu Ya, no longer paying attention to the argumentative Sang Pingliang and new stepmother.

"Shut your mouth!" Sang Pingliang snapped in frustration, "She’s a VIP of our family; offending her does you no good! If you keep talking nonsense and irritate her, I won’t let you off!"

The new stepmother, neck stretched, sneered as she moved closer to Sang Pingliang, "So what if you don’t let me off? Are you going to hit me? Come on then, hit me! Your family’s VIP! Hmph, just a little girl dares to talk back, and you expect her to consider you family in her heart? Dream on!"

"It’s all because you talk too much!" Sang Pingliang retorted irritably, "If you’re told to serve tea, just serve tea. What’s the need to run your mouth!"

The new stepmother scoffed disdainfully, "I listen to you mention her all day long, and I just wanted to see what she’s like. Having seen her, she’s nothing special! Hmph, with such a meek temperament, she probably has a tough time in that grand household, right? You’re hoping she’ll look out for you, but I think it’s hopeless! Don’t you believe me? Otherwise, why didn’t Young Master Shi from the Shi family accompany her, and she came alone?"

Sang Pingliang suddenly choked up, speechless.

The new stepmother, even more smug after shutting him up, coldly chuckled in a low voice, "I actually have an idea, though I’m not sure if I should suggest it."

Sang Pingliang glanced at her, "Let’s hear it."

The new stepmother giggled and said, "I find Sang Rou to be quite shrewd and ambitious. Why not let your mistress take her back to become a concubine for Young Master Shi? Wouldn’t that make you Young Master Shi’s father-in-law? Isn’t that much closer than being some distant uncle twice removed? Wouldn’t the Shi family have to take care of you then? With Sang Rou backing you, the mistress would also have a solid support!"

After entering the household, the new stepmother quickly allied with Sang Rou, who was also oppressed by Mrs. Li. Sang Rou had only one wish, which was for the new stepmother to say some good words in front of her father to get her marriage settled quickly. Otherwise, in a year or two, she might be too undesirable even for a concubine!

The new stepmother promised readily, assuring Sang Rou to be at ease, left and right. But she had just entered the household and was still relying on Sang Rou as an ally to fight against Mrs. Li, right? Why would she be so quick to speak well on her behalf? Now that Mrs. Li had thrown out her back in an accident and Sang Pingliang was reluctant to blame the new stepmother, it was clear that Mrs. Li was no longer a threat. Moreover, after meeting Sang Wan today, the new stepmother set her sights on Sang Wan.

The new stepmother had also heard from Sang Rou, who nostalgically described Sang Wan’s attire and grandeur upon her last return home—even the envious undertones were palpable! Surely if she could enter the Shi family herself, she would be grateful, right? The Shi family was so wealthy; even some loose change would be enough for her to spend a lifetime!

Plus, the new stepmother harbored a bit of sordid and selfish thoughts. She thought, I had to become a concubine, what’s so special about you, Sang Rou? I still have to help you secure a position as a wife? That’s unfair!

Sang Pingliang’s eyes brightened, and he suddenly saw the light, "Right! Why didn’t I think of this! But, Sang Rou, um—" Sang Pingliang frowned, obviously not very satisfied with this daughter.

The new stepmother sneered, "You only have two daughters, if not Sang Rou, could it be Sang Yan? Hmph, Sang Yan is so meek and timid, she barely speaks when she meets someone, rely on her? Sang Rou was just frightened by the scolding on ordinary days. Groom her a little, her looks and temperament are actually quite good!"

Sang Pingliang then asked, "Where is she now? At this moment?"

"You’re confused again, aren’t you!" the new stepmother snapped, "Didn’t the lady say she wanted rice cakes? She soaked rice early in the morning, and right now she’s gone to Aunt Wang’s house in East Village to grind the rice milk!"

Sang Pingliang frowned, "Always causing mischief, can’t stay calm even when lying in bed! Go find her and bring her back!"

"Me?" the new stepmother pointed to her nose reluctantly.

"If not you, is it me?" Sang Pingliang said irritably.

The new stepmother huffed, put on her heavy clothes reluctantly, and went out.

Having seen Mrs. Li, Sang Wan couldn’t help but deeply regret it. Mrs. Li was only suffering from a wrenched back and could not move, but that did not stop her from being manipulative. She grabbed Sang Wan’s hand tightly, refusing to let go, crying and lamenting her grievances, as though Sang Wan could really make decisions for her.

Sang Wan was torn between laughter and tears, finding herself in quite a bind, and could only offer a few words of forced comfort.

But Mrs. Li became even more energized, sniffling as she urgently said, "Miss Wan, you’re so kind, remembering me, your aunt! I truly have such a hard life. How could your uncle treat me this way! I have been with him for a lifetime, yet now, that shameless vixen did this to me, and he couldn’t even spare a word to scold her! Isn’t he asking for my death! Miss Wan, you must say he’s wrong!"

Sang Wan awkwardly called out, "Aunt," vaguely, as this was not the sort of thing to which she could easily respond. She could only tell her to get some rest.

"Young mistress, I’m afraid the young master must be looking for you by now; let’s go back, so my aunt-in-law can rest," Liu Ya found time to say.

Sang Wan was about to agree when Mrs. Li hurriedly said, "It’s alright! I don’t need to rest; lying down all day, one would rot away. Miss Wan, keep me company and chat for a bit! Miss Wan, ah, your aunt truly cares about you, you must help me this time!"